blues2cruise wrote:What I meant was that usually men are stronger than women and my comment was meant to imply that if I could do it then more than likely so could a big guy.
Weight, size and strength have nothing to do w. your ability to ride well. There are a lot of smaller riders who are better because they are agile whereas bigger guys like me are top heavy and so we tend to fight things like leaning with the bike.
Those of you who think you're cool annoy those of us who really are! 8)
blues2cruise wrote:What I meant was that usually men are stronger than women and my comment was meant to imply that if I could do it then more than likely so could a big guy.
Weight, size and strength have nothing to do w. your ability to ride well. There are a lot of smaller riders who are better because they are agile whereas bigger guys like me are top heavy and so we tend to fight things like leaning with the bike.
Well it makes a difference when you're picking the bike up off the ground.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
The V-Star 650 is a perfectly good bike to learn on. If anything a smaller bike is better for city riding.
Im going to venture to guess that you live in NYC? If you can ride there you can ride anywhere LOL.
If you are used to dicing it up with traffic on your bicycle then surviving city traffic will be that much easier for you. The motorcycle is no different than your bicycle when it comes to city traffic. The cars never see bicycles or motorcycles so you ride as if they are out to kill you.
First thing I would do is sign up for the MSF cousre (looks like you already took this step), and then get some gear. A helmet, jacket and gloves at the bare minimum. In regards to the helmet, the extra protection of a full face helmet is WELL worth it.
I wouldn't go bike shopping until after the MSF course. You will have a better idea of your capabilities and desires in a bike afterwards.
buddhacide wrote: I have ridden dirt bikes in the past (casually), and have been an avid cycler for years. So that is something anyway.
Be careful.
I've ridden BMX bikes and freestyle bikes and mountain bikes all my life. For nearly 30 years, non-stop.
I thought all that bicycle experience would make motorcycling easier.
It doesn't.
In fact, it can sometimes make it harder. Because the physics of motorcycles are very different from bicycles. Sure, in a straight-line they are similar (which is why squids who go 140MPH on the highway are not impressing anyone - any idiot can go fast in a straight line). Tearing around the dirt on a 30-pound BMX bike has no comparison with sweeping around a curve on a 300-pound motorcycle. They behave very differently. If you go into motorcycling with too much of a cycling attitude, it can jump up and bite you quick.
[b]Are you a beginner rider?
Have a lot of questions about motorcycling?
Not sure what bike to start with?
[url=http://www.wyndfeather.com/learn/motorcycle.htm]Learn To Ride A Motorcycle - A Step-By-Step Guide[/url][/b]
Thank you all for the tremendous support here. This is a pretty busy forum.
I think despite informally committing to an older vulcan this morning, i'm gonna make a good go at trying to get the v-star. Its just so much more aesthetic.
As for my dirtbiking experience - its very limited. I've never ridden seriously, i just have ridden them at cottages and whatnot. I have felt very comfortable thouth.
As for cycling, I live in Toronto, which is not quite NY but certainly can be aggressive. The traffic on a bicycle doesnt scare me. Once I learn to ride the bike I dont think it will be a problem. My only issue is that I pretty much have tio learn in traffic. Thats what scares me.
Anyway, thank you again for the responses. I'll certainly be around here alot I reckon. Cheers.
there are only 2 kinds of bikes: It's a Ninja... look that one's a Harley... oh there's a Ninja... Harley...Ninja...
